In my city, bookstores are present at every street corner. The one behind my home had a Friday sale on it, which led me to a hidden gem among the shelves. It was a cozy little shop filled with the scent of old paper. My eyes fell upon “Happily Never After.” The pinkish wedding cover photo made me pick this up. It’s about a girl named Alice who was getting ready for her wedding. But just when she was about to say “I do,” a stranger came and said something important.
I got caught up in Alice’s story as I read the book. She faced many challenges and surprises on her journey to find love and happiness. Looking for a fun and exciting story about love and surprises? “Happily Never After” is the perfect book for you!
Happily Never After:
Genre:
The novel Happily Never After is due to be both a romantic comedy and a contemporary romance. It revolves around the characters Sophie and Max, who have different beliefs about love.
Age Rating:
There is no official age rating for this book. However, if we examine it closely, we can see that it uses romance, which may not be good for children. I suggest that 13+ people read it.
Writing style:
The “Happily Never After” writing style generally degrades the classic fairy tale tropes of happily ever after endings and excellent romances.
Number Of Pages:
“Happily Never After” by Lynn Painter is 304 pages lengthy. It can take 4 days to complete.
Main Characters:
The main characters in Happily Never After are:
- Sophie: A woman about to marry a cheating fiance. She’s stuck in the problem due to her father’s job.
- Max: A lovely man hired to oppose Sophie’s wedding. He helps her ditch the ceremony and challenges her thoughts on love.
Plot summary of Happily Never After:
Upon learning that her soon-to-be husband has been unfaithful again, Sophie Steinbeck is eager to cancel their wedding. However, due to her father’s powerful position as her fiancé’s father’s boss, she seeks assistance from a professional objector. This individual’s role is to attend weddings and publicly declare, “I object!”
Once Sophie gains a deeper understanding of her profession, she joins forces with Max, and together, they embark on a journey of attending various weddings as two jaded individuals who do not believe in love. However, despite their undeniable chemistry, they try to push their feelings aside. That is until Sophie is hired by a groom-to-be to object at a wedding that happens to involve the woman who had previously shattered Max’s heart. It is at this moment that Sophie realizes she may have developed strong feelings for her accomplice.
| Publisher | Berkley |
| Publishing Date | First published March 12, 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 304 Pages |
| Title | Happily Never After |
| ISBN-10 | 0593638018 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0593638019 |
My Review: A Less-Than-Happy Ending
The artist brings us another delightful romantic comedy that truly satisfies us!
In 2023, I discovered Lynn Painter as a must-read author after being happy with her novel The Love Wager. Her writing style, the story’s pace, and the chemistry between the characters all pulled me in. Therefore, I eagerly awaited the release of her new fantasy book, Happily Never After, in 2024, which did not disappoint with its enjoyable story. It was one of my top picks for new fantasy books of 2024 on She Reads Romance Books.
What occurs when two individuals, one who has no faith in love and the other who despises love and relationships, cross paths and develop feelings for each other? The result is an entertaining tale that will captivate you until the very conclusion.
I was enamored by how Sophie and Max’s encounter occurred. Max was enlisted to object at Sophie’s wedding after she discovered that her fiancé had once again been unfaithful, and she could not cancel the wedding herself due to her father’s employment with her fiancé’s father.
Max successfully convinces Sophie to skip her wedding by protesting, leading to a night of drinking together. During this time, Sophie realizes that she could also have a great time objecting at weddings. Thanks to Max’s invitation for her help with another wedding, they reconnect and the rest is now history.
The concept of objecting at weddings added an enjoyable element to the narrative, and it was endearing to witness their actions. Naturally, their insistence on objecting further emphasizes their individual perspectives on love and marriage, but spending time together only intensifies their mutual attraction and chemistry.
As it turns out, they utilize this situation to their benefit – acting as more than mere friends for the sake of her boss (as she desires a promotion and must show improvement in her work/life balance) and for his parents’ sake, as his father refuses to retire and they won’t relocate to Florida until they believe he is “settled.”
With the inclusion of a fake relationship, strong attraction, and a mutual understanding that love is not always sufficient, these two individuals become a likable and enjoyable pair to support.
Although their reasons for not believing in love may not be lengthy, I don’t need to know. The main focus is on whether these two individuals are truly compatible. If they can overcome their reluctance to commit to a relationship, they could experience genuine happiness together, as they already do.
The addition of elderly roommates provided some comedic relief and allowed for necessary heart-to-heart conversation, making the novel a pleasant read. This book would be an enjoyable and breezy summer read as it centers around weddings. However, it is suitable for any season.
About Author:
Early Life and Background:
Lynn Painter was born and raised in a small city in the heartland of America. From a youthful age, Lynn showed an interest in writing and storytelling. She’d spend hours occupied in books, immersing herself in the worlds created by her favorite authors. It was during this time that Lynn realized her own desire to
produce stories that would allure readers and transport them to different realms.
Writing Journey and Inspiration:
Lynn’s love for writing started with short stories and poems in her teens. She sharpened her skills through competitions and workshops, where people loved her fresh voice and how she painted pictures with words. Finding beauty in everyday life, Lynn used her experiences to craft stories that resonated deeply with readers.
As her writing grew, Lynn explored different styles, from love stories to mysteries, even dipping her toes into science fiction! This variety shows in her many published books. Each one tells a gripping story with characters you won’t forget.
Popular Books by Lynn Painter:
Lynn Painter’s emotional portfolio of books has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase. One of her most famous works is” The Secrets of Willow Creek,” a gripping riddle novel in a small city agonized by dark secrets. The book follows promoter Emma as she unravels the variety behind a series of mysterious events, leading her to peril and suspension.
Another notable book by Lynn Painter is” A Love Rekindled,” a gladdening love novel that explores the complications of love and alternate chances. The story revolves around Sarah and James, nonage dears who reunite after times piecemeal. As they navigate the challenges of their history and present, readers are taken on an emotional trip filled with love, remission, and self-discovery.
Conclusion:
Looking for a laugh-out-loud rom-com with a fresh twist? Dive into Happily Never After!
Sophie and Max’s relationship starts as a fake romance, but soon, they face real emotions and past baggage. Will they overcome their fears and find love?
This heart-touching story with funny banter and adorable characters will make you smile and maybe even believe in happily ever afters. Get your copy of Happily Never After today!